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Commercial HVAC Load Calculations: What are They and Why are They Important?

The Air Conditioning Contractors of America, or ACCA, created the Manual J for residential air conditioning load calculations and the Manual N for commercial AC load calculations. If you own a commercial building and you need a new air conditioner, we conduct load calculations according to Manual N standards so you don’t have to worry about an improperly sized air conditioner for your Clover, South Carolina, business.

What Is a Load Calculation?

A load calculation determines the right-size air conditioner for a commercial space as well as the right design for the airflow system. We use Manual N (commercial load) software to calculate the ideal cooling capacity for the space so you don’t have an over- or undersized commercial AC unit. Without a load calculation, we would have to make an educated guess that could make your commercial building less efficient and negatively impact its indoor air quality, or IAQ.

The load calculation involves measurements that cover various facets of the building, from the number and size of the windows to the insulation in the walls and the number of occupants in the building. Square footage, number of rooms, and design conditions also play a part in helping us calculate the right load capacity for your commercial air conditioner.

How Do Load Calculations Improve Indoor Air Quality?

Your building’s air conditioner doesn’t just keep workers and visitors cool during the summer. It also runs the air through a filtration system and helps control humidity. Both of these factors influence IAQ; without a load calculation, the air won’t prove as clean as it would otherwise.

For instance, an oversized air conditioner will run less often, which means it won’t purify the air as well. Additionally, it won’t remove as much moisture from the air, which results in high humidity levels. An undersized unit will lead to low humidity, which can cause respiratory irritation, dry skin, and other problems.